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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Micah 3:2 You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/micah/3-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/33_Mic_03_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Micah 3:2 - Rulers and Prophets Condemned" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You hate good and love evil. 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You skin my people alive and tear the flesh from their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/micah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/micah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/micah/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/micah/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You who hate good and love evil; Who strip the skin from My people, And the flesh from their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/micah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/micah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/micah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/micah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You who hate good and love evil, Who tear off their skin from them And their flesh from their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/micah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You who hate good and love evil, Who tear the skin off my people And their flesh from their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/micah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You tear off people’s skin and strip their flesh from their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/micah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You tear off people&#8217s skin and strip their flesh from their bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/micah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />ye who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/micah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but you prefer to do evil instead of what is right. You skin my people alive. You strip off their flesh, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/micah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/micah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You strip the skin off my people and the flesh off their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/micah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/micah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />you who despise good and love evil, who tear off the skin of my people, along with the flesh from their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/micah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/micah/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />yet you hate what is good, and love what is evil. You flay my people's skin and rip the flesh from their bones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/micah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/micah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from them, and their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/micah/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You who hate the good, and love the evil; who tear off their skin, and their flesh from off their bones; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/micah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You who are hating good, and loving evil, "" Taking violently their skin from off them, "" And their flesh from off their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/micah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Ye who are hating good, and loving evil, Taking violently their skin from off them, And their flesh from off their bones,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/micah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hating the good and loving the evil; plucking off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/micah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You that hate good, and love evil: that violently pluck off their skins from them, and their flesh from their bones? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/micah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />you who hold hatred for good, and love evil, who violently steal their skins from over them and their flesh from over their bones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/micah/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />you who hate what is good, and love evil? You who tear their skin from them, and their flesh from their bones; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/micah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin off my people, and the flesh off their bones;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/micah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O you haters of the good and lovers of evil, who strip the skin from off the people and the flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/micah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Haters of good and lovers of evil, you who snatch their skin from them and their flesh from their bones<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/micah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Who hate the good, and love the evil; Who rob their skin from off them, And their flesh from off their bones;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/micah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>who</i> hate good, and seek evil; <i>who</i> tear their skins off them, and their flesh off their bones:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/micah/3-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V9AM9A76_xQ?start=371" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/micah/3.htm">Rulers and Prophets Condemned</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: śō·nə·’ê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">You hate</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (N-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: wə·’ō·hă·ḇê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">and love</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rå̄·ʿå̄h (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1497.htm" title="1497: gō·zə·lê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To tear away, seize, rob. A primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob.">You tear</a> <a href="/hebrew/5785.htm" title="5785: ‘ō·w·rām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A skin. From uwr; skin; by implication, hide, leather.">the skin</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘ă·lê·hem (Prep-m:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from my people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7607.htm" title="7607: ū·šə·’ê·rām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Flesh. From sha'ar; flesh, as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood.">and strip the flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: ‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯām (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">their bones.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a></span><br />Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14-15</a></span><br />Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a></span><br />Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a></span><br />They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a></span><br />“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Isaiah 59:14-15</a></span><br />So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">Proverbs 17:15</a></span><br />Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;</p><p class="hdg">hate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-20.htm">1 Kings 21:20</a></b></br> And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found <i>thee</i>: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-6.htm">1 Kings 22:6-8</a></b></br> Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver <i>it</i> into the hand of the king… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-10.htm">Amos 5:10-14</a></b></br> They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly… </p><p class="hdg">love.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/19-2.htm">2 Chronicles 19:2</a></b></br> And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore <i>is</i> wrath upon thee from before the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/15-4.htm">Psalm 15:4</a></b></br> In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. <i>He that</i> sweareth to <i>his own</i> hurt, and changeth not.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-21.htm">Psalm 139:21,22</a></b></br> Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? … </p><p class="hdg">pluck.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4</a></b></br> Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people <i>as</i> they eat bread: they have not called upon God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/3-15.htm">Isaiah 3:15</a></b></br> What mean ye <i>that</i> ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a></b></br> Her princes in the midst thereof <i>are</i> like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, <i>and</i> to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/6-10.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/micah/2-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/micah/2-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/amos/6-8.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-27.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Love</a> <a href="/hosea/2-9.htm">Pluck</a> <a href="/daniel/8-10.htm">Pulling</a> <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-18.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/amos/3-15.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Violently</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/micah/3-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/micah/5-9.htm">Haters</a> <a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Love</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Pluck</a> <a href="/matthew/13-29.htm">Pulling</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Skin</a> <a href="/micah/5-11.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Violently</a><div class="vheading2">Micah 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/3-1.htm">The cruelty of the princes.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">The falsehood of the prophets.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/micah/3-8.htm">The false security of them both.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/micah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/micah/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You hate good and love evil.</b><br>This phrase highlights the moral corruption of the leaders and prophets in Israel during Micah's time. The inversion of moral values—hating good and loving evil—reflects a deep spiritual decay. This is reminiscent of <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a>, where woe is pronounced on those who call evil good and good evil. The leaders' actions are contrary to God's nature, who is inherently good (<a href="/psalms/100-5.htm">Psalm 100:5</a>). This moral inversion is a sign of judgment, as seen in <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a>, where God gives people over to a depraved mind when they reject His truth.<p><b>You tear the skin from my people</b><br>This metaphorical language illustrates the extreme exploitation and oppression by the leaders. The imagery of tearing skin suggests brutality and a lack of compassion, akin to a predator devouring its prey. This reflects the leaders' abuse of power, as they were supposed to protect and serve the people (<a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a>). The phrase also echoes the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where leaders are expected to shepherd rather than harm (<a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a>).<p><b>and strip the flesh from their bones.</b><br>Continuing the metaphor, this phrase emphasizes the complete and ruthless exploitation of the people. The leaders' actions are likened to butchery, stripping away all that is vital and leaving nothing behind. This can be seen as a violation of the covenantal law, which calls for justice and mercy (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). The imagery also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and destruction that will come upon these leaders for their actions (<a href="/micah/3-12.htm">Micah 3:12</a>). In a typological sense, this contrasts with Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>), offering protection and life rather than destruction.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/micah.htm">Micah</a></b><br>A prophet from Moresheth, active during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, who spoke against the corruption and injustice in Judah and Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/leaders_of_israel.htm">Leaders of Israel</a></b><br>The primary audience of Micah's rebuke, including rulers, priests, and prophets who were leading the people astray through their unjust practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah_and_israel.htm">Judah and Israel</a></b><br>The divided kingdoms of God's chosen people, often the focus of prophetic messages due to their departure from God's laws.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and authority who speaks through Micah, expressing His displeasure with the leaders' actions.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people.htm">The People</a></b><br>The common people of Israel and Judah who suffer under the unjust practices of their leaders.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_clarity.htm">Moral Clarity</a></b><br>As believers, we must discern and uphold what is good according to God's standards, rejecting the inversion of moral values prevalent in society.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_accountability.htm">Leadership Accountability</a></b><br>Those in positions of authority, whether in the church or society, are called to lead with justice and integrity, serving rather than exploiting those under their care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_for_the_oppressed.htm">Compassion for the Oppressed</a></b><br>We are called to be advocates for the vulnerable and oppressed, ensuring that our actions and policies reflect God's heart for justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Recognizing areas where we have loved evil and hated good, we must repent and seek God's forgiveness, allowing Him to transform our hearts and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Prophets like Micah remind us of the importance of speaking truth to power and calling out injustice, even when it is unpopular or risky.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_micah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Micah 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_evil_leaders_gain_power_in_micah_3.htm">In Micah 3:1-2, how could the leaders (who are described as loving evil) gain such widespread power if the Israelites were supposedly under God's guidance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_micah_2_3_vague_about_calamity.htm">Why does Micah 2:3 predict calamity without specifying verifiable events or a known historical timeline?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_ezekiel_34_2's_leaders.htm">Ezekiel 34:2 - How can we verify historically or archaeologically that corrupt leaders were truly the 'shepherds' described here?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/micah/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2, 3) <span class= "bld">Who hate the good.</span>--The judges, instead of fulfilling the obligations of their office, whereby they should be "for the people to God-ward," perpetrated the most flagrant cruelty upon them. Micah compares it to the process of preparing food, in which every part of the animal, even to the bones, is utilised. So the judges robbed the people until there was nothing left to them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/micah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The good...the evil;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> goodness and wickedness. Septuagint, <span class="greek">τὰ</span> <span class="greek">καλά τὰ πονηρά</span> (<a href="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14</a>, etc.; <a href="/john/3-20.htm">John 3:20</a>; <a href="/romans/1-32.htm">Romans 1:32</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Who pluck off their skin from off them.</span> They are not shepherds, but butchers. We have the same figurative expression for merciless extortion and pillage. Ezekiel makes a similar complaint (<a href="/ezekiel/34-2.htm">Ezekiel 34:2-4</a>). Cheyne sees in this and the following verse a possible allusion to cannibalism as at least known to the Israelites by hearsay or tradition. There is a passage in Wisdom (12:5) which somewhat countenances the idea that the Canaanites were guilty of this enormity, but it is probably only a rhetorical exaggeration of the writer. In the present passage the terms seem to be simply metaphors taken from the preparation of meat for human food. Such an allusion is natural in the mouth of one who had just been speaking of Israel as a flock (<a href="/micah/2-12.htm">Micah 2:12</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/micah/3-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You hate</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׂ֥נְאֵי</span> <span class="translit">(śō·nə·’ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֖וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and love</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֹ֣הֲבֵי</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ō·hă·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have affection f</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You tear</span><br /><span class="heb">גֹּזְלֵ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(gō·zə·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1497.htm">Strong's 1497: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the skin</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹרָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5785.htm">Strong's 5785: </a> </span><span class="str2">Skin, hide, leather</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from My people</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and strip the flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁאֵרָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·’ê·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7607.htm">Strong's 7607: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, as living, for, food, food of any kind, kindred by blood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעַ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their bones.</span><br /><span class="heb">עַצְמוֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/micah/3-2.htm">OT Prophets: Micah 3:2 You who hate the good and love (Mc Mic. Mi)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/micah/3-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Micah 3:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Micah 3:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/micah/3-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Micah 3:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Micah 3:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>